Improvement in fence-posts



H. REYNOLDS. Fence-Posts.

N0.197,496. Patented Nov. 27,1877} W652); 232mm M .d W

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HIRAM REYNOLDS, OF DES MOIN ES, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF HIS RIGHT TO WILLIAM H. ROUNDY, OF MABSHALLTOWN, IOWA.

lM PROVEMENT I N FENCE-POSTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 197,496, dated November 27, 1877; application filed July 17,1876.

To all 'whomit may concerni Be it known that I, HIRAM REYNOLDS, of Des Moines, in the county of Polk and State of Iowa, have invented an- Improved Fence- Post, of which the following is a specification:

The object of my invention is to provide a light, strong, cast-metal fence-post, specially adapted to form a combined board and wire fence.

It consists in a post of peculiar form, and

novel board and wire fastening devices formed integral therewith, as hereinafter fully set forth.

Figure 1 of my drawing is a perspective view, showing the front side of my post. Fig. 2 is a corresponding view, showing the. rear side and the reverse of Fig. 1. Together they illustrate the construction and operation of my complete invention.

a a is a perforated web-formed back of the post. I) b is a continuous rim or flange, standing forward at right angles from the back a. c 0 is a central and longitudinal rib on the front side of the web or back a, and connected with the continuous rim I) at its top and bottom transverse portions. The body of the post a b c is Wider at its base than at its top, and has a tapering flanged butt, d.

I am aware that metal posts having continuous rims or flanges have been used; but I claim that my post, having a web or back, a, perforated to reduce its weight, and a central longitudinal rib, c, to add strength, is novel and advantageous.

the edges of the back a, and cast integral therewith. They are designed to keep the fence-boards A from resting flat against the back of the post, and to thereby leave an open space, that will allow rain to pass and not soak and rot the boards. These board-bearings'm have shoulders 12 on their lower ends, to aid in supporting the boards, secured to the posts by means of bolts.

1- 1* represent a series of board-holdinghooks, formed integral with the post. They stand vertically in reverse directions to each other, and at right angles to the body of the post. By passing a board between the hooks r r it will be secured to the post without any additional fastening.

The bearing m n, in holding the board A from the surface of the post, causes the board to be rigidly clamped in the hook-formed fasten- .ings r r, and by this co-operation of the two devices the board is securely fastened without pins, wedges, or bolts. I

My wire and board holding posts, thus cast complete in one piece, may vary in size and weight as desired.

Only one board A may be used at the bottom of a fence, to serve as a rigid brace to the posts that support the fence-wires above; or any number of boards and wires may be used to form a combined board and wire fence by means of my board and wire holding posts.

I claim as my invention As an improved article of manufacture, the metal fence-post a b c 61, having wire-holding hooks g and surrounding openings h, and the board bearing and fastening devices m n and r 1, formed integral therewith, substantially as and for the purposes shown and described.

HIRAM REYNOLDS.

Witnesses THADDEUS BINFORD, WM. RoMILLY. 

